Honoring the Fallen: Profiles of U.S. Service Members Killed in Iran War

The war in Iran, which began on February 28, has claimed the lives of six American service members, a somber reminder of the human cost of conflict. The Pentagon has positively identified five of the fallen soldiers, all members of a U.S. Army Reserve unit based in Des Moines, Iowa. A sixth soldier, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, is also believed to have perished. This article serves to honor their service, sacrifice, and the lives they led beyond their military duties.

The Fallen Service Members: Profiles of Sacrifice

"These men and women all bravely volunteered to defend our country, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten," said Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll. Each service member carried a unique story of dedication, from a young college student to a mother days from returning home.

Capt. Cody A. Khork

Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, was a native of Winter Haven, Florida. He first enlisted in the National Guard in 2009 and was commissioned as a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014 after graduating from Florida Southern College. His service included deployments to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantanamo Bay in 2021, and Poland in 2024. His awards included the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. His hometown remembered him as an always-smiling, easygoing individual who was "very patriotic and the life of the party," according to his family.

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, was a mother of two from Minnesota. Tragically, she was days away from ending her deployment and returning to her husband and children. She enlisted in 2005 and had previously deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019. An avid gardener, she made salsa with her son and enjoyed outdoor activities with her daughter. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz stated she "answered the call to serve and gave her life in service to our state and nation." Her husband, Joey Amor, expressed the family's profound grief, noting, "She was almost home."

Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens

Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, was from Bellevue, Nebraska. He enlisted as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in 2006 and had two prior deployments to Kuwait, in 2009 and 2019. His service honors included the Meritorious Service Medal. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said the state was "deeply saddened" and held "the Tietjens family close to our hearts." Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike honored Tietjens, saying he "dedicated his life to the defense of freedom."

Sgt. Declan J. Coady

Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, was the youngest of the identified fallen. An Eagle Scout and 2023 high school graduate, he was a sophomore studying cybersecurity at Drake University while serving his first deployment. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant, a rank he had been recommended for just the week before. His father, Andrew Coady, told the Associated Press his son was "very good at what he did." Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds asked Iowans to join in prayer for his family, mourning "a young Iowan who heroically answered his nation's call."

Maj. Jeffrey R. O'Brien

Maj. Jeffrey R. O'Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa, commissioned as a Signal Corps officer in the Army Reserve in 2012. He had previously deployed to Kuwait in 2019. His military honors included the Army Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan

While not yet positively identified, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California, is believed to be the sixth soldier who perished. His brother, Vic Marzan, stated, "My brother died for our country. He was a lifetime serviceman." Having served for over 30 years, he was on what was to be his final deployment and was due home in about two months. His niece remembered him as a "Hero with a servant's heart."

Unit and Context of the Loss

All five positively identified soldiers were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve unit that provides critical logistical support like food, water, and equipment. The attack occurred in Kuwait, highlighting the expanded geographic reach of the conflict. The U.S. Army follows the protocol of notifying next of kin before making public identifications, a process that underscores the personal tragedy behind each casualty statistic.

Conclusion: A Nation Remembers

The loss of these six individuals—from a 20-year-old college student to a 54-year-old career soldier—represents a profound national tragedy. Their stories of patriotism, service, and personal commitment extend far beyond their military titles. They were parents, students, community members, and friends. As the conflict continues, their sacrifice, as acknowledged by leaders and loved ones, will not be forgotten. It is a solemn duty to remember not just how they died, but how they lived.